Sussex viewers asked - do you know when you need a TV licence?

Think you know the dos and don’ts of the TV Licence? Is there a concession out there that you didn’t know you were eligible for? And do you know which TV watching you need to be covered for?

TV Licensing has provided the following quiz to help Sussex viewers get to grips with concessions and whether you need a licence if watching on a phone or tablet.

This quick-fire quiz will put your knowledge of the myths and excuses surrounding the licence through its paces with a set of simple true or false questions.

The TV Licence is an optional fee for those who choose to watch BBC programmes so if you don’t watch any live programmes on the BBC, you don’t need a TV Licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is false. If you’re watching any programmes on any channel at the same time as they’re being shown on TV, you need a TV Licence

If there is no TV set top box in your household and you only watch live programmes on tablet computers or laptops, you don’t need a TV Licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is false. It doesn’t matter what device you’re using, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet or laptop, if you’re watching programmes at the same time as they’re being shown on TV, you need a TV Licence.

If you live with somebody over the age of 75 who receives a free Over 75 TV Licence, you don’t need a TV Licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is true. If you live with somebody over the age of 75 who currently has a free Over 75 TV Licence, this covers your whole household. Make sure they’re covered by calling the dedicated Over 75 team on 0300 790 6073.

If you record live television programmes so that you’re able to watch them to watch later, you don’t need a TV Licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is false. If you’re recording programmes at the same time as they’re being shown on TV, you need a TV Licence, even if you’re watching it later.

If you are blind (severely sight impaired), you don’t get a concession.

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is false. If you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) and can provide the appropriate evidence, you are entitled to a 50% concession for the TV Licence fee. Call the dedicated team on 0300 790 6076 to find out more.

If you’re caught without a TV Licence, you just get a letter in the post.

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is false. Anyone caught without a TV Licence, when they should have one, could face a criminal conviction and a fine of up to £1,000.

If you leave live television on for your pets whilst you’re at work but don’t watch it yourself, you don’t need a TV Licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is false (although people do say this to TV Licensing officers!). If TV programmes are being viewed at the same time as they’re being shown on TV, you need a TV Licence – you can’t use your pet as an excuse!

If you don’t watch or record live television on any device, you don’t need a TV Licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is true. You can declare you do not need a TV Licence if you do not watch any programmes at the same time as they’re being shown on TV.

If you watch catch up services (such as iPlayer, ITV Player or 4OD) and no other live broadcasts, you don’t need a TV Licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is true. Just like the one above, you can declare you do not need a TV Licence if you do not watch programmes at the same time as they’re being shown on TV.

If you pay for premium television services (such as Sky) which also provide terrestrial television, you don’t need a licence

TRUE

FALSE

The answer is false. If you’re watching any programmes at the same time as they’re being shown on TV, you need a TV Licence, which includes Sky or cable television.

Anyone who watches or records TV Programmes at the same time as they’re being shown on TV must be covered by a valid TV Licence, no matter what device they’re watching it on. Research has shown that fewer than 2% of people in the UK only watch catch-up TV.

Concessions are available for over 75s, those that are blind (severely sight-impaired) or living in residential care. It costs £145.50 for a colour TV Licence and £49.00 for a black and white TV Licence.